“I’m a 3000 year old pharaoh from the shadow realm… does that answer your question?”
AK3K has been paving the way for artists of the online generation. Gaining attention under the name Anubis Kahn, the artist has been ever evolving; developing stylistically as well as musically. AK3K has developed an aesthetic identifiable to only him, taken influences of all genres, and created personas to represent different sects of his life.
I got the chance to speak with AK on his involvement with ‘online’ collectives, personal mantras, his take on the online generation, and much more.
UU: How old are you? How long have you been making music?
AK3K: I first started writing music when I was in 7th grade, but I didn’t drop my first song until I was a senior in high school. As for my age… I’m 3000.
UU: What was the jumping off point for you? What made you say “I absolutely have to try this?
AK3K: I went to college for a year, but my mind and heart was in the music the entire time I was there. I was skipping class to make music in my room all day, so after that I said “Fuck it, I think I can do this, so lets get it.”
UU: Who are some of your influences?
AK3K: There are so many artists to pick from. Some artists I listen to most often are Travis Scott, Eminem, Night Lovell, Bones, Lil Peep, $uicideboy$, 2pac, Immortal Technique, Pierce the Veil, Sleeping with Sirens, wifisfuneral, Ghostemane, Pouya, and Fat Nick.
UU: During your process, how did you cultivate your own sound? How did you let these influences mold your music, while growing your own brand?
AK3K: They just kinda showed me that it’s okay to not be okay. A reason I fuck with a lot of these artists is because they aren’t afraid to talk about their personal issues in their music which makes is very relatable. It took a lot of trial and error, but I think I finally found the type of sound I’m trying to bring.
UU: So you come from the east, you started in Pennsylvania right? Did where you’re from shape your sound, if at all?
AK3K: Yeah, I’m from a small town in Pennsylvania. Honestly not much at all. It mostly made me want to be different from everyone else making music in my town. There’s no one that sounds like me where I’m from.
UU: You started under the name Anubis Kahn. Tell me about the transition between Anubis Kahn and AK3K. Why did you feel that was the best move for your career?
AK3K: Anubis Kahn and AK3K are the same person, but it represented me leveling up in a sense. AK3K is just my ‘super sayian’. I have another persona named Lil $acrifice.
UU: Theres a lot of hype on genre labeling currently, some people don’t agree with the labels. How do you feel about the sub-genres in the underground currently, and do you associate with a specific genre?
AK3K: Man… Music is changing. It’s not the same traditional hip hop, and a lot of people get butthurt about that. Change is healthy. Too much of one thing is gonna make it get stagnant and die. If you don’t like the new style of music, don’t fucking listen to it. Just because you don’t like it doesn’t mean its not good. I make music from the Shadow Realm, so I guess you could say I fall in a sub-genre.
UU: How did you brand yourself? How did you cultivate your own distinctive style?
AK3K: Honestly, I just keep it me. I don’t have to put on a front for anyone.
UU: You spent a lot of your early career with a collective called Violently Peaceful. What was that process like, at what point did you get involved.
AK3K: I got involved with them pretty early. At the end of my time with them a lot of true colors were shown, so I no longer am with or support Violently Peaceful. I did find amazing friends through VP, though. E.T. is my brother, and I’ll support him till the day I fucking die. I have nothing but love for him.
UU: After leaving Violently Peaceful, how long did you spend working by yourself without a group of affiliates?
AK3K: It wasn’t that long at all, probably 3 months or so.
UU: You now work with a collective called Nephilim Gang. Tell me what that group is about?
AK3K: Shoutout fucking Nephilim Gang… I’ve been with Nephilim for about a month or two now. It’s just a collective of dope artists, DJs, photographers, videographers, and we all just support each other. It’s fucking awesome.
UU: Has your transition to Nephilim been for your music career?
AK3K: All I’m gonna say is… expect some big moves from me this year.
UU: How has it been growing musically, and emotionally, with a group of people you’ve never met before.
AK3K: It’s honestly insane. I made some of my best friends through music, and some people I haven’t even met yet, but I would still jump in front of a bullet for them, you dig? I always look out for my people.
UU: What is your take on the ‘online generation’ of hip hop, and how has it changed it for the better/worse?
AK3K: I have mixed opinions to be honest. There are some really talented artists out there that could blow up the next day type of talented. Then there are kids who are just trying so hard to be something they’re not, and ride the wave. That shit is hella lame to me. I don’t like to hate on anyone’s music because you never know how someone can grow, I mean shit… people used to make fun of me all the time for trying to make music, now look where I’m at. Other times, though, that shit is so transparent.
UU: Your lyrics are typically pretty violent. Where do you draw that energy from and do you use your music to outlet negative energy?
AK3K: I use music to express this other side of me that I typically never let anyone see. I have my demons, and I have a lot of things I’m not comfortable about expressing with anyone. So I let my music do the talking for me.
UU: What’s your personal mission? What do you want people to take away from your music.
AK3K: I just don’t want people to feel alone with what they’re feeling. We all have our demons. It’s okay to not be okay, but you don’t have to be alone with that. I’ve always wanted to be the helping hand that music was for me, because music truly did save my life. There have been times when I wanted to just end it all, I didn’t give a fuck. Music hasn’t cured my problems, but it’s most definitely helped me a lot. I love music and I couldn’t thank her enough for saving my life. I’ve had people reach out to me on my social media to tell me that my music has helped them through rough times, and that always brings a tear to my eye.
UU: What’s your personal favorite track you’ve put out?
AK3K: Hmm honestly… all the music I have out right now is dope as fuck. This is hard… my top 3, in no order, would have to be Abstract, Black Wolf, and Kite.
UU: Your social media often features a very iconic cinematic character. Tell me about Chucky.
AK3K: Hahahaha Chucky is my son, I love him. He wants tattoos, I told him we’d talk about it. I adopted him, he really wanted a father.
UU: What’s in the works? When can we expect new AK?
AK3K: Just know its coming sooner than you think…
UU: Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?
AK3K: Shout out Nephilim Gang, Cha$e Valentino, Xanny Phantom, JamesDamage, Colossus, Somber, E.T., Runaway, Underground Underdogs, you, all my supporters and anyone who has showed me love. I also can’t stress this enough, if you guys suffer with depression, anxiety or even if you just wanna talk and tell me how shit is going, please do not be afraid to reach out to me. I will always be here for the people who need me, and that’s a promise! 2018 let’s take over the fucking world.
(P.S.) if you guys are interested in official AK3K merchandise, hit my DMs as well for that 🙂 peace out.
